A drain cleaning machine’s primary purpose is to unclog and cleanse clogged drains. Sinks, tubs, and showers are frequently cleaned, as are sewage laterals, main lines, and commercial drains. Many people associate these cleaning tools with sewer snakes and pipe snakes, but they can also involve water blasters and jetting. However, from a technical standpoint, they are classified as types of drain cleaning equipment.
In any event, the equipment needed to remove clogged drains is typically only available to expert Denver plumbers. However, considering the popularity of many DIY plumbing projects, many homeowners are now using some. Many of these tools, regardless of who uses them, may be operated manually, with tiny gasoline engines, or with electric motors.
Signs That Your Drain Needs To Be Cleaned
If your drains need to be cleaned, one or more of the following warning signals should be present:
1. Slow Drainage
If water takes an eternity to drain, this might be an indication of a clog in your pipes. The sluggish passage of water down the drain is frequently accompanied by gurgles.
2. Bad Odor
A bad odor coming from your kitchen drain indicates that something is clogging the line downstream. Grease and food particles are most likely to blame in this situation.
3. Frequently Occurring Toilet Overflows
If your toilet frequently overflows, the problem is most likely in the sewage line. To address this, it is recommended that you contact a professional plumber.
4. Spilled Water
If water is backing up from your drain or sink, your pipes or sewage lines are most likely obstructed. This can eventually cause water damage and unsanitary conditions, so it must be addressed as soon as possible, generally through expert sewage line cleaning services.
Drain Cleaner Types
Professional plumbers can precisely find, diagnose, and remove obstructions from drains and pipe systems thanks to many equipment alternatives. These are some examples:
1. Auger
Augers are also known as drain snakes, and they are classified into two types: hand-powered and motor-driven. Both versions rely on a flexible, lengthy cable supplied via the drain aperture. The cable ends are equipped with a corkscrew that slices through the clog to either break it down or remove it completely.
A plumber uses a canister with a hand-driven auger to force the corkscrew through the obstruction. These have a drain depth of 25 feet and are best suited for small-diameter plumbing applications, including toilets, sinks, and showers.
2. Air -burst
Air-burst drain cleaners use a combination of air, carbon dioxide, and pressurized gas to dissolve or remove any obstruction. They operate by forcing pressurized gas into the pipe and directing the force to the location of the obstruction. Many systems feature built-in air compressors or tiny carbon dioxide cartridges that generate the first gas pressure explosion.
While the standard air burst drain cleaning device works well on water-filled drain lines, it is less effective on dry drain lines. It will not operate as effectively in large-diameter plumbing, such as that found on main sewage lines.
3. Hydro Jet
Hydro jets are used to remove blockages. The plumber will use a highly pressurized hosepipe and flexible nozzle to run the hosepipe down the drain. The water pressure may reach 35,000 psi and is particularly successful in clearing clogs in lengthy drain pipes, such as grease, calcified deposits, and even common household items. Tree roots that have infiltrated the pipe joints can also be washed out and delivered all the way to the municipal sewer system by hydro jetting.
Because they only utilize pure water while cleaning drains, hydro jets are typically harmless and will not affect the environment. Many units are lightweight and portable, allowing them to be easily transported to various locations where drain cleaning services are required. More importantly, the equipment does not require substantial digging or excavation, so homeowners do not have to worry about their lawns being harmed.
4. Wire Brushes
Small wire brushes, unlike other advanced drain cleaning equipment, are widely available at many supply stores. They may be used to clear sludge from drains using hot water and soap. Plumbers frequently have these brushes on hand and use them to clean plumbing equipment in the same manner as a toothbrush would.
Camera for Video Inspection
Plumbers are occasionally called upon to unclog a drain line that has been blocked frequently. The introduction of video camera technology has rendered this time-consuming procedure obsolete. Video cameras, being one of the most advanced drain cleaning technologies available today, may provide many experienced plumbers with a strong and complex method of easily diagnosing troublesome pipes and properly identifying the sources of blockages.
Key Takeaway
With so many drain cleaners on the market nowadays, resolving minor plumbing issues on your own has become fairly popular. Interestingly, for individuals who cannot afford to buy the instruments, there are now rental options available. However, some of these cleaners are only used to repair severe plumbing issues, which are best handled by skilled plumbers who can ensure efficient service.
